Introduction

The Archives and Special Collections (ASC) Department is the records and special collections depository of the American University of Beirut. Its mission is to appraise, collect, organize, preserve, and make available the University special collections as well as original source materials of historical, informational, evidential, administrative, and research value.

Whereas the archives document the history, development, and functioning of the University, as well as the activities and achievements of its community, the special collections demonstrate unique sources in different formats on AUB, Lebanon, and the Middle East.

The ASC Department opening winter hours are 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and summer hours 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Reading Room Rules

1. Whereas no appointment is obligatory, researchers planning to make extensive use of our collections are encouraged to contact us before arriving at the Department; this will allow us to provide more efficient reference service and will ensure availability of materials.
2. Valid AUB ID-card is required from AUB Community, while a library membership card is obligatory for external researchers (External Borrower, Access Categories). ID-card will be kept at the desk during use of material.
3. Coats, briefcases, computer cases, envelopes are to be stored in lockers.
4. Cell phones, smoking, eating and drinking are prohibited.
5. Researchers must work calmly and keep conversation to a minimum as a courtesy to other patrons.
6. Researchers are required to fill a form for the use of archival material.
7. The Archives stacks are not open to researchers. Kindly respect "For Staff Only" areas where posted.
8. Due to the risk of inadvertent damage to documents when ink is used, pens are not permitted. Archives patrons must use pencils.
9. Laptop computers may be used in the Reading Room.
10. Scanners, tape recorders and cameras are not permitted.
11. Only straightforward, ready reference queries can be addressed via correspondence, e-mail, and telephone, as staffing constraints prohibit in-depth research services as part of the reference function.
12. Records will not be retrieved after 4:30 p.m. in winter and 2:30 in summer.

Use of Materials Rules

1. Archival material and special collections are old, brittle and unique for this reason they do not circulate, all material should be used in the Archives Department Reading Room.
2. All items must be handed with great care, researchers who mishandle material may de denied access to our holdings.
3. Only a limited amount of records may be used at one time. Researchers may be required to return materials before additional ones are released to them.
4. Researchers are held responsible for all documents charged to them. They may not be transferred from one researcher to another.
5. Archival Material must be returned to the staff in charge before leaving the Reading Room for the day or for a break.
6. Items must remain on the table during use .They are not to be placed in the lap or propped against the edge of the table.
7. Notebooks, note paper, or computers, must never be placed on top of archival material and rare books.
8. Items must not be marked on, defaced, leaned on, altered, folded anew, or traced on.
9. When a microform copy, digital copy, or a facsimile edition of a manuscript or fragile book is available, a researcher will be asked to consult the copy rather than the original.
10. Special collections materials may be put on hold for 2 days upon request.
11. Original manuscripts cannot be consulted. Microfilms of these manuscripts are available for use at the Jafet Audio-Visuals Section.
12. Access to University Archives may be restricted or unrestricted, depending on the type of record and any restrictions placed by a donor.
    • Unrestricted Access covers materials originally printed, published, or produced by the University for Public Distribution. The documents might include brochures, programs, annual and interim reports of the President to the Board of Trustees, annual report of each faculty, minutes of meetings of the senate and its standing committees and boards etc..
    • Restricted Access includes, but not limited to, institutional records from the major university administrative offices and officers such as the Board of Trustees, the President, the vice presidents, the Provost, the Board of Deans, the senate, and some committees. These records are closed to consultation and research from the date of their creation for varying lengths of time in order to protect the rights of privacy of individuals and institutions.
    • For detailed lists of restricted and unrestricted records follow the link.

For more information contact asc@aub.edu.lb or ext: 2609/2610.

Digitized Collections

Click to access the collections.

Other Collections

Postcards: old AUB and non-AUB postcards (to be consulted at ASC Department).

The following collections are searchable through the Library Catalog - LIBCAT:

• Maps of Lebanon and the Middle East and other regions
• Posters: AUB Poster Collection

University Archives

The archives, arranged according to provenence, encompass a unique collection of oral, written and visual AUB documents. It includes different types of resources like bulletins, by-laws, catalogs, correspondences, diaries, directories, handbooks, minutes of meetings, publications, reports, scrapbooks among other items.

The University Archives Program is an institutional document mandated by AUB President. It approves the Archives’ existence and confers to it the necessary authority to accomplish its mission. It is a tool which explains the mechanism that links the University Archives to all the constituencies of AUB. It includes definitions of the Archives and the University Units. In addition to this, the University Archives Program clarifies the procedures to be followed for depositing items at the archives. It includes a list of all items that are accepted by the Archives for deposit.

Finding Aids

• Directory of AUB Faculty, Staff, and Officers, 1880s-
• Catalogue of Non-AUB Poster Collection 1960-
• Catalogue of Non-AUB Photograph Collection (to be consulted at ASC Department)
• Guide to Non-AUB Archives (to be consulted at ASC Department)

Services

Reference Services
ASC staff answer queries and provide assistance to researchers interested in AUB history and department's special collections.

Reproduction Services
Requests for photocopies, microfilm and digital scans are considered on a case-by-case basis, and upon the discretion of the University Librarian. Permission should not be assumed in advance and might also depend upon the physical condition of the material in question. Read for more details.

• Archives and Special Collections (ASC) Librarian can authorize the reproduction of archival material. Contact: asc@aub.edu.lb
  
• Document Delivery Services (DDS) staff is responsible for processing all the authorized requests. Contact: dds@aub.edu.lb

Thesis Services
ASC Department is designated as the official repository for all AUB theses, projects, and dissertations. For that purpose ASC staff will:

• Supervise theses formatting and offer guidance using the Thesis Manual. Kindly consult the Thesis Manual for formatting your thesis/project/dissertation before contacting the department.
• Issue release forms to the Registrar, after theses deposit.

For more information on the collection or services, contact the Department by e-mail
asc@aub.edu.lb, or by telephone (961) 1-350 000 ext.2609/10.